| name | google-vids |
| version | 1.0.1 |
| description | Creates structured Google Vids (vids.new) work videos via Help me create: prompt plus attached Docs/Sheets/Slides become outline, scenes, stock media, script, AI voiceover, 8s Veo clips, and avatars. Use when the user wants an explainer, launch, or training video from a prompt or document. Not for cinematic Veo/Flow footage, Slides-only decks, or live-action NLE editing. |
Google Vids (vids.new)
Google Vids is the Workspace AI video app. The signature flow is Help me create: a prompt plus attached files becomes a fully editable, scene-based video with stock media, script, and AI voiceover.
Desktop only. Maximum video length is 30 minutes. Consumer access requires Google AI Pro/Ultra; Workspace accounts may also have access depending on plan.
When to Use
Route here (vs Flow/Veo) when the goal is a structured, narrated work video — explainer, training, launch, internal comms, product walkthrough — not cinematic footage.
Trigger keywords: google vids, vids.new, help me create, ai video, explainer video, training video, voiceover, veo clip, ai avatar.
Do not route here for:
- Cinematic / photoreal footage generation → use Veo directly.
- Slides-only presentations → use Google Slides.
- Live-action video editing → use a dedicated editor.
Prerequisites
- Desktop browser — Vids is desktop-only. Disable any mobile emulation in your browser automation context.
- Plan — Google AI Pro or Ultra (consumer), or a Workspace plan with Vids access.
- Reference file — Read
google-ai-ultra/reference.md first before driving Vids. It contains the canonical browser-automation loop (navigate → snapshot → type → click → wait → snapshot) and MCP tool-call conventions used throughout this skill.
- Attached files — Any Doc/Sheet/Slide you attach via
@ must be shared with the same Google account you are using, or it will not appear in the attach menu.
Feature Map
| Feature | Use |
|---|
| Help me create | Prompt + @-attached Docs/Sheets/Slides → outline + suggested scenes + stock media (video/image/music) + script + AI voiceover |
| Veo tool | Generate 8s clips from text or an image, with native audio |
| AI avatars | 12 presets, up to ~30s each, ~20 generations/week; write a script, avatar presents it lip-synced |
| AI voiceover | Per-scene or all-scenes; many languages; "Voiceover outdated" badge when script changes |
| Recording studio | Record yourself / screen / camera and insert |
Procedure
Step 0 — Load the reference
Before any Vids automation, read google-ai-ultra/reference.md. It defines the MCP browser tool sequence, snapshot interpretation, and wait strategies. All steps below assume those conventions.
Step 1 — Navigate to Vids
browser_navigate → https://vids.new
- If redirected away or the editor does not load, see Pitfalls (desktop-only / plan check).
Step 2 — Start "Help me create"
browser_snapshot
Find the Help me create prompt input or button. Click it:
browser_click → <Help me create input/button selector>
Step 3 — Enter the prompt
browser_type → "Create a 2-minute product launch video for our new app"
submit=false
Step 4 — Attach a source document
Type @ (space + at-sign) inside the prompt field to open the attach menu:
browser_type → " @" (submit=false)
browser_snapshot
Click the target Doc/Sheet/Slide in the results list:
browser_click → <target document in attach menu>
If the @ menu does not open, see Pitfalls.
Step 5 — Submit
browser_click → <Create / Submit button>
Step 6 — Wait for outline generation
browser_wait_for(time=45)
browser_snapshot
The editor should now show a scene outline with stock media thumbnails, script text, and scene titles. If the spinner is still running, wait to 60s and re-snapshot. If still stuck after 90s, reload and resubmit (see Pitfalls).
Step 7 — Generate AI voiceover
browser_snapshot
Find Generate voiceover (all scenes) and click:
browser_click → <Generate voiceover button>
browser_wait_for(time=30)
browser_snapshot
Confirm audio/waveform indicators appear on scenes.
If "Generate voiceover for all scenes" is not found, open each scene's Voiceover/Audio menu and generate per-scene.
Step 8 — (Optional) Generate a Veo clip
From within the editor, use the Veo tool to generate an 8s clip from text or an image with native audio. Insert the clip into a scene.
Step 9 — (Optional) Add an AI avatar
Select one of 12 avatar presets (up to ~30s each, ~20 generations/week). Write or paste a script; the avatar will present it lip-synced. Insert into a scene.
Step 10 — (Optional) Recording studio
Use the recording studio to record yourself, your screen, or your camera and insert the recording into the video.
Pitfalls
- "Help me create" missing or page redirects — Vids is desktop-only and needs an AI Pro/Ultra (or Workspace) plan. Disable mobile emulation, verify the plan, and retry.
@ menu doesn't open — The cursor may not be in the field. Use browser_evaluate to focus the [contenteditable] element and dispatch an input event, or click the field first, then retype @.- Outline spinner exceeds 90s — Wait to 60s, re-snapshot. If still stuck, reload the page, re-enter the prompt, and resubmit.
- "Generate voiceover for all scenes" not found — Some editor states expose voiceover only per-scene. Open the scene's Voiceover/Audio menu and generate individually.
- Attached Doc not applied — The document must be shared with the same Google account. Re-trigger
@ and reselect the document.
- Voiceover produces no audio — Each scene needs script text. Confirm a supported language is selected, then regenerate.
- "Voiceover outdated" badge — Script has changed since the voiceover was generated. Regenerate the voiceover for the affected scenes.
- AI avatar limit hit — ~20 generations/week cap. Wait for the weekly reset or use fewer/shorter avatar segments.
- Veo clip longer than 8s — Veo clips are capped at 8s. Split content across multiple clips if needed.
Verification
After completing the flow, verify success with these checks:
- Outline present —
browser_snapshot shows an editable outline: multiple scenes, each with script text, a stock-media thumbnail, and a title.
- Voiceover generated — Snapshot shows audio indicators (waveform / duration / "Voiceover ready") on all scenes.
- Scene 1 plays — Preview scene 1; confirm a play state and audio duration (voiceover actually generated, not just queued).
- Attached content reflected — Script text or scenes reference content from the attached Doc/Sheet/Slide.
Related Skills
google-ai-ultra — Parent skill; read google-ai-ultra/reference.md for the canonical MCP browser-automation loop.google-veo — For standalone cinematic / photoreal video generation (not structured work videos).google-flow — For Flow-based video generation workflows.
